A week a go I was right in the middle of the Discover Suffolk Challenge Walk. All in all we walked 95 miles over 6 days in the borderland between Norfolk and Suffolk.
Treading on local ground will feed my work in the studio.
Treading on local ground will feed my work in the studio.
Saturday 17 May
Day 1 of the 2014 Challenge Walk happened to be the hottest day of the year so far in Suffolk! We explored the broad, wide expanse of the Waveney Valley past lakes, marshes, broads and decoys. We started at Fritton Lake, passing through the historic Somerleyton Estate and busy Oulton Broad to end our day at Suffolk Wildlife Trust Carlton Marshes.
Day 1 of the 2014 Challenge Walk happened to be the hottest day of the year so far in Suffolk! We explored the broad, wide expanse of the Waveney Valley past lakes, marshes, broads and decoys. We started at Fritton Lake, passing through the historic Somerleyton Estate and busy Oulton Broad to end our day at Suffolk Wildlife Trust Carlton Marshes.
Sunday 18 May
Day 2 of the Challenge Walk headed west from Suffolk Wildlife Trust Carlton Marshes to follow The Angles Way alongside the River Waveney. We paused at the market town of Beccles before continuing through gently rolling landscape to our day’s end in Bungay.
Day 2 of the Challenge Walk headed west from Suffolk Wildlife Trust Carlton Marshes to follow The Angles Way alongside the River Waveney. We paused at the market town of Beccles before continuing through gently rolling landscape to our day’s end in Bungay.
Monday 19 May
Day 3 we skirted the region known as The Saints, an area of open commons, myths and legends. We followed the meandering Angles Way, criss-crossing the border of Suffolk and Norfolk, to walk over Outney Common, past a working mill and a hall, and the remnants of a priory.
Day 3 we skirted the region known as The Saints, an area of open commons, myths and legends. We followed the meandering Angles Way, criss-crossing the border of Suffolk and Norfolk, to walk over Outney Common, past a working mill and a hall, and the remnants of a priory.
Tuesday 20 May
Day 4, a day of two halves. The morning’s walk was in Suffolk, exploring the Waveney Valley to the village of Hoxne. In the afternoon we passed into Norfolk following The Angles Way through farmland to the market town of Diss and its Mere.
Day 4, a day of two halves. The morning’s walk was in Suffolk, exploring the Waveney Valley to the village of Hoxne. In the afternoon we passed into Norfolk following The Angles Way through farmland to the market town of Diss and its Mere.
Wednesday 21 May
Day 5 we discovered the source of two rivers: the Waveney and the Little Ouse. In the land of the fen raft spider, we left the Waveney Valley and entered the valley of the Little Ouse. We ended our day in the Brecks, an area famous for lines of pine trees, dense forests and wild, open heathland.
Day 5 we discovered the source of two rivers: the Waveney and the Little Ouse. In the land of the fen raft spider, we left the Waveney Valley and entered the valley of the Little Ouse. We ended our day in the Brecks, an area famous for lines of pine trees, dense forests and wild, open heathland.
Thursday 22 May
Our final day followed ancient ways through some of the best landscape in Suffolk. From the heathlands and warrens of Knettishall, we followed Britain’s oldest road, The Icknield Way, past historic Euston Hall into The King’s Forest. We ended our final day at the Elveden Estate with prizes and a celebratory cream tea!
Our final day followed ancient ways through some of the best landscape in Suffolk. From the heathlands and warrens of Knettishall, we followed Britain’s oldest road, The Icknield Way, past historic Euston Hall into The King’s Forest. We ended our final day at the Elveden Estate with prizes and a celebratory cream tea!
A big thank you to all Challenge Walkers who made it into such a delightful pilgrimage!
Full of both, silences and great chats!
But a very special 'Cheers' to Jackie Gillis and David Falk for planning the Challenge walk, heading the way and making sure nobody got left behind!
Thanks to Stevie Wright of The Broads Authority who introduced us on Day 1 to the Broads.
On Day 2 The Suffolk Wildlife Trust volunteers George Batchelor and Jim waited for us in the middle of nowhere with a beautiful live Raft Fen spider (in a jar on a table) and maps. Along the shores of the Waveney we were met by Alan Wheeler, the curator of Beccles Museum. He introduced us to Beccles town and Beccles Museum.
On Day 3 we met a lovely woodcutting farm worker (whose name remains a mystery) telling us about the family on the farm we were passing through.
Day 4 introduced us to Deborah Key, Education Officer Suffolk Wildlife Trust, who gave as a good idea about their commitment and projects. And Dr. Helen Smith must be the most inspiring and passionate speaker about her work with Fen Raft Spiders!
See her website for more details.
Day 6 we listened to Sam Gray, Ranger, Suffolk Wildlife Trust, talking to us about the ancient land we were standing on! We met Andrew Blenkiron, Estate Manager, and Edward, Archivist, introducing us to the management and history of Euston Estate. Later in the day, Vicky Tustian from the Forestry Commision talked about the management of woodland on Elveden grounds; Frances Armstrong, Market Manager, and Bridget Warren, Land Agent, gave us new insights into how the huge Elveden Estate moved in to the 21st century!
Much appreciated knowledge and conversations were generated through all of their expertise and presence! Thank you!
There are a few days left of the Suffolk Walking Festival, finishes on June 1st!
See you next year?
Full of both, silences and great chats!
But a very special 'Cheers' to Jackie Gillis and David Falk for planning the Challenge walk, heading the way and making sure nobody got left behind!
Thanks to Stevie Wright of The Broads Authority who introduced us on Day 1 to the Broads.
On Day 2 The Suffolk Wildlife Trust volunteers George Batchelor and Jim waited for us in the middle of nowhere with a beautiful live Raft Fen spider (in a jar on a table) and maps. Along the shores of the Waveney we were met by Alan Wheeler, the curator of Beccles Museum. He introduced us to Beccles town and Beccles Museum.
On Day 3 we met a lovely woodcutting farm worker (whose name remains a mystery) telling us about the family on the farm we were passing through.
Day 4 introduced us to Deborah Key, Education Officer Suffolk Wildlife Trust, who gave as a good idea about their commitment and projects. And Dr. Helen Smith must be the most inspiring and passionate speaker about her work with Fen Raft Spiders!
See her website for more details.
Day 6 we listened to Sam Gray, Ranger, Suffolk Wildlife Trust, talking to us about the ancient land we were standing on! We met Andrew Blenkiron, Estate Manager, and Edward, Archivist, introducing us to the management and history of Euston Estate. Later in the day, Vicky Tustian from the Forestry Commision talked about the management of woodland on Elveden grounds; Frances Armstrong, Market Manager, and Bridget Warren, Land Agent, gave us new insights into how the huge Elveden Estate moved in to the 21st century!
Much appreciated knowledge and conversations were generated through all of their expertise and presence! Thank you!
There are a few days left of the Suffolk Walking Festival, finishes on June 1st!
See you next year?
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